Pig Farming Terminology

As with many branches of livestock and farming, pig farming comes with its own special terminology and vocabulary. This list of important words and phrases will help you get to grips with some of the most important terms.

Pig Farming Terminology

Sow

A female pig who has given birth to its first litter.

Gestation

The length of a pregnancy. In pigs, this is three months, three weeks and three days.

Piglet

A young pig.

Porker

A pig reared to produce pork. This is normally around 60kg, and reached between four and six months of age (depending on breed).

Cutter

A pig reared to produce larger joints of meat, ranging somewhere between pork and bacon in weight.

Baconer

A pig reared to produce bacon. This is normally around 80-100kg, and reached between eight and ten months of age.

Weaner

A piglet who is separated from its mother and fed solid food. This can take place anywhere between the ages of five and ten weeks.